FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (28th NOV. - 4th DEC. 1972)
This week's stories include the Sutton vicar's war on pornography, proposals for a children's zoo in Rainford, a call to clean up Cowley Hill, Redgate Boys Silver Band open their new HQ, Candlewick Green wins Opportunity Knocks and Eccleston councillors slam a decision to use the old Kiln Lane library as a youth centre.
This week the Parr Tenants Association held a question and answer session with local councillors on housing policy. However, the group reaffirmed their pledge to continue their 9-week-old stand against the Fair Rents Act. Members of the Association were refusing to pay the extra rent demanded under the Act, although some tenants were said to have given in to pressure from rent collectors.
Secretary Margaret Marren of Barlow Grove accused rent men of executing a "con-trick" by falsely telling householders that they were the only ones not paying the extra rent. As a result the number that had been withholding the increase had dwindled but interest in the campaign was also seemingly on the wane. At the start of their rent fight 6,000 tenants had signed a petition – but in spite of heavy publicity, only twenty-five of them turned up to the meeting.
Eccleston's new library in Broadway was about to open very soon and the question of what to do with the old building in Kiln Lane was occupying people's minds. Lancashire County Council had decided that the premises that had been built in 1940 should be used as a youth club – but Eccleston Parish councillors at their meeting this week were aghast at the decision. Cllr. Frank Smith said: "It's the wrong place to congregate youth, near a church, houses and shops. Youth clubs should be held in schools, not in public places. They have to be controlled and organised."
The proposals included the provision of temporary accommodation for Rainford Youth Club, which Cllr. Tom McCormack thought could lead to gang warfare: "We'll have lads coming down from Rainford, met by a bunch of Eccleston lads. It's asking for trouble." The only Eccleston Parish councillor in favour of the scheme was Dick Pennington, who said: "If you object to a youth club there, where are we going to put a youth club?"
It was a big day for Redgate Boys Silver Band (pictured above) on December 1st when their new HQ in Park Road was officially opened on the silver anniversary of the group's founding. Their old hut had suffered much vandalism over the past few years and the lads had spent two years building their new home. It was quite common then for communities – including children – to build their own premises, although I doubt that would be allowed today! Nearly 300 former members of the band attended the opening ceremony, which was performed by Lord Pilkington. The group led by Leo Murphy now had 25 members with an average age of 14 to 15.
Jimmy Knowles' grand design made the front page of the Reporter on the 1st. The 10-year-old from Church Road in Rainford wanted the local parish council to set up a children's zoo. But this was not just some idle whim as young Jim had thought through his idea and produced a fully costed business plan. These are some of the items:
• STOCK – Fish, birds, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.
• STAFF – 14 children to care for the animals in their spare time.
• ADMISSION – 2p children, 6p adults, 5p pensioners.
• RULES – No running about and pushing people inside the zoo and no throwing things at the animals.
• INITIAL COST – A grand total of £89.50 including animals, wire-mesh, wood, paint, varnish and fencing.
• ESTIMATED PROFITS – £1,000 a year to be split equally between the council and the children who would be responsible for buying food for the animals.
In his letter to Rainford Council Jimmy wrote: "Will you please put this into action. You will benefit." Speaking to the Reporter the lad said: "I'm fond of animals, and I think a little pets' zoo that children could look after would be good – there isn't much for children to do in Rainford." The council said they would consider the idea if their negotiations to buy some wasteland near Junction Road proved successful. Although, just whether the mini-zoo would make £1,000 a year profit (around £15,000 in today's money) was something else!
However, the Reporter's main story concerned the future of St Helens Greyhound Track. There had been rumours for months about its demise but in July the managing director of the 6-acre site in Park Road had strenuously denied it would be sold. The Reporter revealed that the track's directors had held a meeting this week to consider a bid to buy the track in order to build a housing estate – but they had decided to turn the offer down.
The paper also featured a campaign by Catherine Williams to clean up Cowley Hill. The 84-year-old said it used to be the cleanest place in town but for the last three years parts of the district had become a dumping ground. The back alley behind her house in Argyle Street was cluttered with piles of rubbish and rubble and a nearby stretch of waste land was covered in old bricks, chairs, bedding and mattresses.
"People out when the bin-men call empty their bins here themselves," complained Mrs Williams. "They come at night. I can see their torches flashing. There’s a terrible smell in hot weather from the rubbish and some of the contents of the dustbins have been very unhygienic. People have said they've seen rats there as well." Mrs Williams added that complaints to the council – including a petition – and to the town's MP had come to nothing.
"Mention the name of Griffin to anyone in St. Helens and district and they will immediately reply – “Oh, you mean the furniture people”." That was the introduction to an advertising feature on Griffins to promote the century-old firm's new furniture and carpet department in Rigby Street, near to their present Duke Street store. The Windle Motor Company had previously occupied the premises and the boss of the furnishers, Derek Griffin, had decided the site would be ideal for his new walk-round furniture and carpet store.
"Vicar's Four-Point War on Filth" was the headline to an article in the Reporter based on the Rev. Paul Conder's comments in his parish magazine. The Vicar of Sutton was calling on his parishioners concerned about the increase of pornographic literature to make their views clear; to ask newsagents not to sell "unpleasant magazines"; to protest to their local councillors and MP if they see any "undesirable displays of porn" and become involved in the effort to make the Christian view heard. Rev. Conder added: "Pornography is nothing new. Latin and Greek literature have plenty of it, and our age is not the first to have discovered sex."
The paper also commented how popular cabaret group Candlewick Green had "lit a fire" that they hoped would take them to the top of the charts. The five-piece had recently made two appearances on Opportunity Knocks on ITV in which they had been runners-up on the first occasion and then won their second show. One performance had led to the studio clapometer reaching 100, its highest ever measure of audience appreciation.
The group's lead singer was Terry Webb from Austell Close in Laffak and its organist was Andy Ball from Mines Road in Prescot. The other three members of the band came from Huyton, Broad Green and Anfield. 24-year-old Terry told the Reporter: "It was good because of the exposure – it should push our fees up a bit. We've had about nine agents and a publishing company on to us since, but we're happy as we are. The first time we did one of our numbers, 'Beautiful Sunday,' and on our second appearance we did 'Doggie'. The single has sold 80,000 copies around the world."
The Reporter also predicted that Rainhill could become the centre of what they described as a "fierce battle" to save a stretch of green belt from developers. Three local firms wanted to develop 130 acres of land bounded by Stoney Lane, Cumber Lane and Blundells Lane. Although Whiston Council had turned down the application, the developers had appealed to the Department of the Environment and a hearing would take place next June. The Reporter wrote: "Since news of the inquiry was given, the storm clouds of protest have been gathering rapidly."
And finally, the Liverpool Echo announced on the 4th that car workers had decided to donate a mini-bus to the St Helens and District Association for Spina Bifida (now called Shine). The men worked on the Viva assembly line at Vauxhall's plant at Ellesmere Port and had raised over £1,000 to pay for the bus. They had been swamped by 450 applications from all over the North of England from persons and organisations wanting the mini-bus.
But they decided that the St Helens Spina Bifida group – that catered for 34 children aged between six months and 12 years – was the most needy. The secretary of the association, Mrs N. Maddocks of Warrington Road, Rainhill, told the Echo: "This gift is absolutely wonderful. We are thrilled to bits, because it opens up a new life for our children. Now we will be able to take them to school in the bus, on outings and on holidays."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the mysterious brown fog that descended on Parr, the RSPCA's campaign against the laying of illegal traps, the fire at the derelict school and the Dean of St Helens attacks plans for a new vasectomy service.
This week the Parr Tenants Association held a question and answer session with local councillors on housing policy. However, the group reaffirmed their pledge to continue their 9-week-old stand against the Fair Rents Act. Members of the Association were refusing to pay the extra rent demanded under the Act, although some tenants were said to have given in to pressure from rent collectors.
Secretary Margaret Marren of Barlow Grove accused rent men of executing a "con-trick" by falsely telling householders that they were the only ones not paying the extra rent. As a result the number that had been withholding the increase had dwindled but interest in the campaign was also seemingly on the wane. At the start of their rent fight 6,000 tenants had signed a petition – but in spite of heavy publicity, only twenty-five of them turned up to the meeting.
Eccleston's new library in Broadway was about to open very soon and the question of what to do with the old building in Kiln Lane was occupying people's minds. Lancashire County Council had decided that the premises that had been built in 1940 should be used as a youth club – but Eccleston Parish councillors at their meeting this week were aghast at the decision. Cllr. Frank Smith said: "It's the wrong place to congregate youth, near a church, houses and shops. Youth clubs should be held in schools, not in public places. They have to be controlled and organised."
The proposals included the provision of temporary accommodation for Rainford Youth Club, which Cllr. Tom McCormack thought could lead to gang warfare: "We'll have lads coming down from Rainford, met by a bunch of Eccleston lads. It's asking for trouble." The only Eccleston Parish councillor in favour of the scheme was Dick Pennington, who said: "If you object to a youth club there, where are we going to put a youth club?"
Jimmy Knowles' grand design made the front page of the Reporter on the 1st. The 10-year-old from Church Road in Rainford wanted the local parish council to set up a children's zoo. But this was not just some idle whim as young Jim had thought through his idea and produced a fully costed business plan. These are some of the items:
• STOCK – Fish, birds, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.
• STAFF – 14 children to care for the animals in their spare time.
• ADMISSION – 2p children, 6p adults, 5p pensioners.
• RULES – No running about and pushing people inside the zoo and no throwing things at the animals.
• INITIAL COST – A grand total of £89.50 including animals, wire-mesh, wood, paint, varnish and fencing.
• ESTIMATED PROFITS – £1,000 a year to be split equally between the council and the children who would be responsible for buying food for the animals.
In his letter to Rainford Council Jimmy wrote: "Will you please put this into action. You will benefit." Speaking to the Reporter the lad said: "I'm fond of animals, and I think a little pets' zoo that children could look after would be good – there isn't much for children to do in Rainford." The council said they would consider the idea if their negotiations to buy some wasteland near Junction Road proved successful. Although, just whether the mini-zoo would make £1,000 a year profit (around £15,000 in today's money) was something else!
However, the Reporter's main story concerned the future of St Helens Greyhound Track. There had been rumours for months about its demise but in July the managing director of the 6-acre site in Park Road had strenuously denied it would be sold. The Reporter revealed that the track's directors had held a meeting this week to consider a bid to buy the track in order to build a housing estate – but they had decided to turn the offer down.
The paper also featured a campaign by Catherine Williams to clean up Cowley Hill. The 84-year-old said it used to be the cleanest place in town but for the last three years parts of the district had become a dumping ground. The back alley behind her house in Argyle Street was cluttered with piles of rubbish and rubble and a nearby stretch of waste land was covered in old bricks, chairs, bedding and mattresses.
"People out when the bin-men call empty their bins here themselves," complained Mrs Williams. "They come at night. I can see their torches flashing. There’s a terrible smell in hot weather from the rubbish and some of the contents of the dustbins have been very unhygienic. People have said they've seen rats there as well." Mrs Williams added that complaints to the council – including a petition – and to the town's MP had come to nothing.
"Mention the name of Griffin to anyone in St. Helens and district and they will immediately reply – “Oh, you mean the furniture people”." That was the introduction to an advertising feature on Griffins to promote the century-old firm's new furniture and carpet department in Rigby Street, near to their present Duke Street store. The Windle Motor Company had previously occupied the premises and the boss of the furnishers, Derek Griffin, had decided the site would be ideal for his new walk-round furniture and carpet store.
"Vicar's Four-Point War on Filth" was the headline to an article in the Reporter based on the Rev. Paul Conder's comments in his parish magazine. The Vicar of Sutton was calling on his parishioners concerned about the increase of pornographic literature to make their views clear; to ask newsagents not to sell "unpleasant magazines"; to protest to their local councillors and MP if they see any "undesirable displays of porn" and become involved in the effort to make the Christian view heard. Rev. Conder added: "Pornography is nothing new. Latin and Greek literature have plenty of it, and our age is not the first to have discovered sex."
The group's lead singer was Terry Webb from Austell Close in Laffak and its organist was Andy Ball from Mines Road in Prescot. The other three members of the band came from Huyton, Broad Green and Anfield. 24-year-old Terry told the Reporter: "It was good because of the exposure – it should push our fees up a bit. We've had about nine agents and a publishing company on to us since, but we're happy as we are. The first time we did one of our numbers, 'Beautiful Sunday,' and on our second appearance we did 'Doggie'. The single has sold 80,000 copies around the world."
The Reporter also predicted that Rainhill could become the centre of what they described as a "fierce battle" to save a stretch of green belt from developers. Three local firms wanted to develop 130 acres of land bounded by Stoney Lane, Cumber Lane and Blundells Lane. Although Whiston Council had turned down the application, the developers had appealed to the Department of the Environment and a hearing would take place next June. The Reporter wrote: "Since news of the inquiry was given, the storm clouds of protest have been gathering rapidly."
And finally, the Liverpool Echo announced on the 4th that car workers had decided to donate a mini-bus to the St Helens and District Association for Spina Bifida (now called Shine). The men worked on the Viva assembly line at Vauxhall's plant at Ellesmere Port and had raised over £1,000 to pay for the bus. They had been swamped by 450 applications from all over the North of England from persons and organisations wanting the mini-bus.
But they decided that the St Helens Spina Bifida group – that catered for 34 children aged between six months and 12 years – was the most needy. The secretary of the association, Mrs N. Maddocks of Warrington Road, Rainhill, told the Echo: "This gift is absolutely wonderful. We are thrilled to bits, because it opens up a new life for our children. Now we will be able to take them to school in the bus, on outings and on holidays."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the mysterious brown fog that descended on Parr, the RSPCA's campaign against the laying of illegal traps, the fire at the derelict school and the Dean of St Helens attacks plans for a new vasectomy service.
This week's stories include the Sutton vicar's war on pornography, proposals for a children's zoo in Rainford, a call to clean up Cowley Hill, Redgate Boys Silver Band open their new HQ, Candlewick Green wins Opportunity Knocks and Eccleston councillors slam a decision to use the old Kiln Lane library as a youth centre.
This week the Parr Tenants Association held a question and answer session with local councillors on housing policy. However, the group reaffirmed their pledge to continue their 9-week-old stand against the Fair Rents Act.
Members of the Association were refusing to pay the extra rent demanded under the Act, although some tenants were said to have given in to pressure from rent collectors.
Secretary Margaret Marren of Barlow Grove accused rent men of executing a "con-trick" by falsely telling householders that they were the only ones not paying the extra rent.
As a result the number that had been withholding the increase had dwindled but interest in the campaign was also seemingly on the wane.
At the start of their rent fight 6,000 tenants had signed a petition – but in spite of heavy publicity, only twenty-five of them turned up to the meeting.
Eccleston's new library in Broadway was about to open very soon and the question of what to do with the old building in Kiln Lane was occupying people's minds.
Lancashire County Council had decided that the premises that had been built in 1940 should be used as a youth club – but Eccleston Parish councillors at their meeting this week were aghast at the decision.
Cllr. Frank Smith said: "It's the wrong place to congregate youth, near a church, houses and shops. Youth clubs should be held in schools, not in public places. They have to be controlled and organised."
The proposals included the provision of temporary accommodation for Rainford Youth Club, which Cllr. Tom McCormack thought could lead to gang warfare:
"We'll have lads coming down from Rainford, met by a bunch of Eccleston lads. It's asking for trouble."
The only Eccleston Parish councillor in favour of the scheme was Dick Pennington, who said: "If you object to a youth club there, where are we going to put a youth club?"
It was a big day for Redgate Boys Silver Band (pictured above) on December 1st when their new HQ in Park Road was officially opened on the silver anniversary of the group's founding.
Their old hut had suffered much vandalism over the past few years and the lads had spent two years building their new home.
It was quite common then for communities – including children – to build their own premises, although I doubt that would be allowed today!
Nearly 300 former members of the band attended the opening ceremony, which was performed by Lord Pilkington.
The group led by Leo Murphy now had 25 members with an average age of 14 to 15.
Jimmy Knowles' grand design made the front page of the Reporter on the 1st. The 10-year-old from Church Road in Rainford wanted his local council to set up a children's zoo.
But this was not just some idle whim as young Jim had thought through his idea and produced a fully costed business plan. These are some of the items:
• STOCK – Fish, birds, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.
• STAFF – 14 children to care for the animals in their spare time.
• ADMISSION – 2p children, 6p adults, 5p pensioners.
• RULES – No running about and pushing people inside the zoo and no throwing things at the animals.
• INITIAL COST – A grand total of £89.50 including animals, wire-mesh, wood, paint, varnish and fencing.
• ESTIMATED PROFITS – £1,000 a year to be split equally between the council and the children who would be responsible for buying food for the animals.
In his letter to Rainford Council Jimmy wrote: "Will you please put this into action. You will benefit."
Speaking to the Reporter the lad said: "I'm fond of animals, and I think a little pets' zoo that children could look after would be good – there isn't much for children to do in Rainford."
The council said they would consider the idea if their negotiations to buy some wasteland near Junction Road proved successful.
Although, just whether the mini-zoo would make £1,000 a year profit (around £15,000 in today's money) was something else!
However, the Reporter's main story concerned the future of St Helens Greyhound Track.
There had been rumours for months about its demise but in July the managing director of the 6-acre site in Park Road had strenuously denied it would be sold.
The Reporter revealed that the track's directors had held a meeting this week to consider a bid to buy the track in order to build a housing estate – but they had decided to turn the offer down.
The paper also featured a campaign by Catherine Williams to clean up Cowley Hill. The 84-year-old said it used to be the cleanest place in town but for the last three years parts of the district had become a dumping ground.
The back alley behind her house in Argyle Street was cluttered with piles of rubbish and rubble and a nearby stretch of waste land was covered in old bricks, chairs, bedding and mattresses.
"People out when the bin-men call empty their bins here themselves," complained Mrs Williams.
"They come at night. I can see their torches flashing. There’s a terrible smell in hot weather from the rubbish and some of the contents of the dustbins have been very unhygienic. People have said they've seen rats there as well."
Mrs Williams added that complaints to the council – including a petition – and to the town's MP had come to nothing.
"Mention the name of Griffin to anyone in St. Helens and district and they will immediately reply – “Oh, you mean the furniture people”."
That was the introduction to an advertising feature on Griffins to promote the century-old firm's new furniture and carpet department in Rigby Street, near to their present Duke Street store.
The Windle Motor Company had previously occupied the premises and the boss of the furnishers, Derek Griffin, had decided the site would be ideal for his new walk-round furniture and carpet store.
"Vicar's Four-Point War on Filth" was the headline to an article in the Reporter based on the Rev. Paul Conder's comments in his parish magazine.
The Vicar of Sutton was calling on his parishioners concerned about the increase of pornographic literature to make their views clear; to ask newsagents not to sell "unpleasant magazines"; to protest to their local councillors and MP if they see any "undesirable displays of porn" and become involved in the effort to make the Christian view heard.
Rev. Conder added: "Pornography is nothing new. Latin and Greek literature have plenty of it, and our age is not the first to have discovered sex."
The paper also commented how popular cabaret group Candlewick Green had "lit a fire" that they hoped would take them to the top of the charts.
The five-piece had recently made two appearances on Opportunity Knocks on ITV in which they had been runners-up on the first occasion and then won their second show.
One performance had led to the studio clapometer reaching 100, its highest ever measure of audience appreciation.
The group's lead singer was Terry Webb from Austell Close in Laffak and its organist was Andy Ball from Mines Road in Prescot.
The other three members of the band came from Huyton, Broad Green and Anfield. 24-year-old Terry told the Reporter:
"It was good because of the exposure – it should push our fees up a bit. We've had about nine agents and a publishing company on to us since, but we're happy as we are.
"The first time we did one of our numbers, 'Beautiful Sunday,' and on our second appearance we did 'Doggie'. The single has sold 80,000 copies around the world."
The Reporter also predicted that Rainhill could become the centre of what they described as a "fierce battle" to save a stretch of green belt from developers.
Three local firms wanted to develop 130 acres of land bounded by Stoney Lane, Cumber Lane and Blundells Lane.
Although Whiston Council had turned down the application, the developers had appealed to the Department of the Environment and a hearing would take place next June. The Reporter wrote:
"Since news of the inquiry was given, the storm clouds of protest have been gathering rapidly."
And finally, the Liverpool Echo announced on the 4th that car workers had decided to donate a mini-bus to the St Helens and District Association for Spina Bifida (now called Shine).
The men worked on the Viva assembly line at Vauxhall's plant at Ellesmere Port and had raised over £1,000 to pay for the bus.
They had been swamped by 450 applications from all over the North of England from persons and organisations wanting the mini-bus.
But they decided that the St Helens Spina Bifida group – that catered for 34 children aged between six months and 12 years – was the most needy.
The secretary of the association, Mrs N. Maddocks of Warrington Road, Rainhill, told the Echo:
"This gift is absolutely wonderful. We are thrilled to bits, because it opens up a new life for our children. Now we will be able to take them to school in the bus, on outings and on holidays."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the mysterious brown fog that descended on Parr, the RSPCA's campaign against the laying of illegal traps, the fire at the derelict school and the Dean of St Helens attacks plans for a new vasectomy service.
This week the Parr Tenants Association held a question and answer session with local councillors on housing policy. However, the group reaffirmed their pledge to continue their 9-week-old stand against the Fair Rents Act.
Members of the Association were refusing to pay the extra rent demanded under the Act, although some tenants were said to have given in to pressure from rent collectors.
Secretary Margaret Marren of Barlow Grove accused rent men of executing a "con-trick" by falsely telling householders that they were the only ones not paying the extra rent.
As a result the number that had been withholding the increase had dwindled but interest in the campaign was also seemingly on the wane.
At the start of their rent fight 6,000 tenants had signed a petition – but in spite of heavy publicity, only twenty-five of them turned up to the meeting.
Eccleston's new library in Broadway was about to open very soon and the question of what to do with the old building in Kiln Lane was occupying people's minds.
Lancashire County Council had decided that the premises that had been built in 1940 should be used as a youth club – but Eccleston Parish councillors at their meeting this week were aghast at the decision.
Cllr. Frank Smith said: "It's the wrong place to congregate youth, near a church, houses and shops. Youth clubs should be held in schools, not in public places. They have to be controlled and organised."
The proposals included the provision of temporary accommodation for Rainford Youth Club, which Cllr. Tom McCormack thought could lead to gang warfare:
"We'll have lads coming down from Rainford, met by a bunch of Eccleston lads. It's asking for trouble."
The only Eccleston Parish councillor in favour of the scheme was Dick Pennington, who said: "If you object to a youth club there, where are we going to put a youth club?"
Their old hut had suffered much vandalism over the past few years and the lads had spent two years building their new home.
It was quite common then for communities – including children – to build their own premises, although I doubt that would be allowed today!
Nearly 300 former members of the band attended the opening ceremony, which was performed by Lord Pilkington.
The group led by Leo Murphy now had 25 members with an average age of 14 to 15.
Jimmy Knowles' grand design made the front page of the Reporter on the 1st. The 10-year-old from Church Road in Rainford wanted his local council to set up a children's zoo.
But this was not just some idle whim as young Jim had thought through his idea and produced a fully costed business plan. These are some of the items:
• STOCK – Fish, birds, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.
• STAFF – 14 children to care for the animals in their spare time.
• ADMISSION – 2p children, 6p adults, 5p pensioners.
• RULES – No running about and pushing people inside the zoo and no throwing things at the animals.
• INITIAL COST – A grand total of £89.50 including animals, wire-mesh, wood, paint, varnish and fencing.
• ESTIMATED PROFITS – £1,000 a year to be split equally between the council and the children who would be responsible for buying food for the animals.
In his letter to Rainford Council Jimmy wrote: "Will you please put this into action. You will benefit."
Speaking to the Reporter the lad said: "I'm fond of animals, and I think a little pets' zoo that children could look after would be good – there isn't much for children to do in Rainford."
The council said they would consider the idea if their negotiations to buy some wasteland near Junction Road proved successful.
Although, just whether the mini-zoo would make £1,000 a year profit (around £15,000 in today's money) was something else!
However, the Reporter's main story concerned the future of St Helens Greyhound Track.
There had been rumours for months about its demise but in July the managing director of the 6-acre site in Park Road had strenuously denied it would be sold.
The Reporter revealed that the track's directors had held a meeting this week to consider a bid to buy the track in order to build a housing estate – but they had decided to turn the offer down.
The paper also featured a campaign by Catherine Williams to clean up Cowley Hill. The 84-year-old said it used to be the cleanest place in town but for the last three years parts of the district had become a dumping ground.
The back alley behind her house in Argyle Street was cluttered with piles of rubbish and rubble and a nearby stretch of waste land was covered in old bricks, chairs, bedding and mattresses.
"People out when the bin-men call empty their bins here themselves," complained Mrs Williams.
"They come at night. I can see their torches flashing. There’s a terrible smell in hot weather from the rubbish and some of the contents of the dustbins have been very unhygienic. People have said they've seen rats there as well."
Mrs Williams added that complaints to the council – including a petition – and to the town's MP had come to nothing.
"Mention the name of Griffin to anyone in St. Helens and district and they will immediately reply – “Oh, you mean the furniture people”."
That was the introduction to an advertising feature on Griffins to promote the century-old firm's new furniture and carpet department in Rigby Street, near to their present Duke Street store.
The Windle Motor Company had previously occupied the premises and the boss of the furnishers, Derek Griffin, had decided the site would be ideal for his new walk-round furniture and carpet store.
"Vicar's Four-Point War on Filth" was the headline to an article in the Reporter based on the Rev. Paul Conder's comments in his parish magazine.
The Vicar of Sutton was calling on his parishioners concerned about the increase of pornographic literature to make their views clear; to ask newsagents not to sell "unpleasant magazines"; to protest to their local councillors and MP if they see any "undesirable displays of porn" and become involved in the effort to make the Christian view heard.
Rev. Conder added: "Pornography is nothing new. Latin and Greek literature have plenty of it, and our age is not the first to have discovered sex."
The five-piece had recently made two appearances on Opportunity Knocks on ITV in which they had been runners-up on the first occasion and then won their second show.
One performance had led to the studio clapometer reaching 100, its highest ever measure of audience appreciation.
The group's lead singer was Terry Webb from Austell Close in Laffak and its organist was Andy Ball from Mines Road in Prescot.
The other three members of the band came from Huyton, Broad Green and Anfield. 24-year-old Terry told the Reporter:
"It was good because of the exposure – it should push our fees up a bit. We've had about nine agents and a publishing company on to us since, but we're happy as we are.
"The first time we did one of our numbers, 'Beautiful Sunday,' and on our second appearance we did 'Doggie'. The single has sold 80,000 copies around the world."
The Reporter also predicted that Rainhill could become the centre of what they described as a "fierce battle" to save a stretch of green belt from developers.
Three local firms wanted to develop 130 acres of land bounded by Stoney Lane, Cumber Lane and Blundells Lane.
Although Whiston Council had turned down the application, the developers had appealed to the Department of the Environment and a hearing would take place next June. The Reporter wrote:
"Since news of the inquiry was given, the storm clouds of protest have been gathering rapidly."
And finally, the Liverpool Echo announced on the 4th that car workers had decided to donate a mini-bus to the St Helens and District Association for Spina Bifida (now called Shine).
The men worked on the Viva assembly line at Vauxhall's plant at Ellesmere Port and had raised over £1,000 to pay for the bus.
They had been swamped by 450 applications from all over the North of England from persons and organisations wanting the mini-bus.
But they decided that the St Helens Spina Bifida group – that catered for 34 children aged between six months and 12 years – was the most needy.
The secretary of the association, Mrs N. Maddocks of Warrington Road, Rainhill, told the Echo:
"This gift is absolutely wonderful. We are thrilled to bits, because it opens up a new life for our children. Now we will be able to take them to school in the bus, on outings and on holidays."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the mysterious brown fog that descended on Parr, the RSPCA's campaign against the laying of illegal traps, the fire at the derelict school and the Dean of St Helens attacks plans for a new vasectomy service.